WHAT'S NEWS

"The Obama administration is preparing to unveil a legislative proposal for a far-reaching overhaul of the National Security Agency's once-secret bulk phone records program in a way that — if approved by Congress — would end the aspect that has most alarmed privacy advocates since its existence was leaked last year, according to senior administration officials." (New York Times)

"The Senate on Monday evening took a step closer to providing aid to Ukraine and allowing for more sanctions against Russian officials. ... Senate lawmakers returning from a weeklong recess voted 78-17 on a procedural motion that allows them to move forward with the legislation to provide loan guarantees, security assistance and other aid to Ukraine in response to the political crisis that has enveloped the nation. The Senate could take a final vote on the measure as early as Wednesday." (Wall Street Journal)

In HI SEN, Sen. Brian Schatz (D) launched his first TV ad of the campaign, highlighting his commitment to protecting Social Security. The ad, which will run on broadcast and cable statewide, features his wife's parents, who live with them and rely on the program. (release)

In CA GOV, former Treasury Department official Neel Kashkari (R) raised $1.3 million from the beginning of the year through March 17 and has "about" $900,000 cash on hand. (Los Angeles Times)

In FL GOV, Gov. Rick Scott (R) "launched a new TV spot Monday that takes aim at" former Gov. Charlie Crist (D) "for referring to Obamacare as 'great' in a recent CNN interview. ... Scott's campaign said it will spend $2 million in a statewide TV ad buy set to begin Thursday." (Tampa Bay Times)

In MD GOV, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D) released his third TV ad, focusing on his efforts to prevent domestic violence. In the ad, which "will run in the Baltimore television markets," Brown recalls the death of his cousin, "who was fatally shot by a former boyfriend in 2008." (Baltimore Sun)

In MI GOV, the RGA launched its first TV ad in the race, attacking former Rep. Mark Schauer (D) for supporting the stimulus package and higher taxes as footage of rain appears on screen. "The gloom is gone. Michigan's on the way back," the narrator says, before an unidentified woman says to close the spot, "The Schauer is over." (release) The RGA "intends to spend nearly $400,000 airing" the ad "over the next week ... in the Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids media markets." (Washington Post)

In NE GOV, American Future Fund released a new statewide TV ad attacking Attorney General Jon Bruning (R) for a taking a pay raise and increasing government spending while in office. (Politico)

In PA GOV, Gov. Tom Corbett (R) released a new TV ad in which he is shown talking to voters about how he has kept his promise to decrease taxes and create jobs. (release)

Also in PA GOV, businessman Tom Wolf (D) released a new TV ad focused on manufacturing, saying "we have to invest in education and a skilled workforce today." (PoliticsPA.com)

In CA-17, former Obama administration official Ro Khanna (D) launched his first TV ad of the campaign, promising to "never take money from corporations or lobbyists" and to "say no to the special perks in Congress." (release)

OUR CALL

Hotline editors weigh in on the stories that drive the day

• Colorado Senate candidate Cory Gardner's (R) decision to backtrack from his past support for a personhood amendment –- outlawing abortion and potentially restricting forms of contraception -- was a telling moment in the battle for the Senate. It's a sign that Republicans are becoming more cognizant about the need to appeal to women and more socially-moderate voters. But it's also a signal that Republicans recognize the gender gap remains a serious problem. -- Josh Kraushaar

• Republican rhetoric on Obamacare has been unified across Senate races but will be all over the map in gubernatorial contests. The RGA's new attack ad against Schauer in Michigan is a case in point. The ad is most notable for what it leaves out - any mention of the health care law. Schauer has been a vocal supporter of the ACA and the committee noted this just last week. But Snyder's past support for Medicaid expansion and the creation of a state exchange leaves them in a tricky position. For this reason the bulk of the focus may be elsewhere in this race and others. -- Karyn Bruggeman

HAIR OF THE DOG

FRESH BREWED BUZZ

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D) and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), "potential foes in the 2016 presidential contest, said Monday that higher education has the power to transform lives and be a force for democracy around the globe. Clinton and Bush spoke separately at the Globalization of Higher Education conference, but chatted briefly offstage. The event, co-organized by Bush, offered a bipartisan twist for the nation's two dominant political families, both of whom could return to the presidential campaign trail next year." (AP)

"Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who along with his wife plowed more than $92 million into efforts to help mostly losing candidates in the 2012 elections, is undertaking a new strategy for 2016 — to tap his fortune on behalf of a more mainstream Republican with a clear shot to win the White House." (Washington Post)

"The House Ethics Committee announced Monday it was extending its investigation into allegations that" Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) "violated House rules and federal campaign laws by using official staff to perform political work for her re-election campaign." (CNN)

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) "said he will follow however a federal judge rules on the legality of same-sex marriages in his state, and insisted he has never taken a public position on the issue." (Politico)

"I don't know. I don't know who's running. That's an honest answer. I don't know who's running. But it's kind of interesting, because people who are rumored to be running are helping me tremendously in my campaign. [Sen.] John Cornyn [R-TX] called yesterday." -- LA SEN candidate/Rep. Bill Cassidy (R), when asked at a town hall event who he would vote for to lead the Senate. (Slate)

"She and I are fine. ... Are we besties for the rest of our lives? No." -- Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), on her relationship with Hillary Clinton (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

"The Obama administration will look at a petition to turn baseball's Opening Day into a federal holiday, just a week before the 2014 season begins. ... A White House petition has garnered more than 100,000 signatures from baseball fans around the country, enough to trigger a review by the president." (The Hill)